There's just over a month to go until voters go to the polls to elect the region's first ever mayor.

And Birmingham Mail readers are being offered two opportunities to put their questions to the five leading candidates or see how they fare under cross-examination.

The mayor will lead the West Midlands Combined Authority with a £36 million a year budget and guide investment in housing, transport, economic growth and jobs, skills and mental health services.

There are free places for 70 readers available. To join us for the debate:

email tmmevents@trinitymirror.com with the title 'Hippodrome Debate' or 'Resorts World debate' the subject area

Provide your name and address

If you wish to pose a question in advance you may include this - but it is not essential

This has the potential to draw in £8 billion investment in jobs, transport infrastructure and housing development, while and more powers and funding will be acquired as devolution continues over the next few years.

The individual we elect to the mayor's office in May will set the tone for that development and has the potential to transform the economic fortunes of West Midlands after decades of under-performance.

In Birmingham, unlike Liverpool and Manchester which are also electing mayors this May, the contest promises to be a closely fought battle. All five declared candidates James Burn (Green), Pete Durnell (UKIP), Beverley Nielsen (Lib Dem), Siôn Simon (Lab) and Andy Street (Con) have agreed to attend. The debates are being chaired by Birmingham Mail editor Marc Reeves.